Energy Efficiency

The federal government has long played a central role in shaping U.S. energy independence and security. Today, however, we stand at an inflection point where states, municipal governments and even corporations are stepping up to become the primary drivers of the future of clean energy.

Trane®, a leading global provider of indoor comfort systems and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, presented its annual Energy Efficiency Leader Award on Aug. 29 to the University of Florida. The award recognizes the university’s commitment to providing a healthy, productive learning environment with minimal impact on the environment.

As a global provider of energy-efficient technology solutions, Ingersoll Rand is positioned to pursue opportunities that arise from the nexus between energy efficiency and climate change mitigation. While energy resource demands and climate change represent great risks for society and the planet, we recognize that the innovation that addresses these issues is a potential growth driver for our business.

Eduardo López oversees one of Brown-Forman's Casa Herradura factories in Amatitán, Mexico. Merging innovation and tradition, he and his co-workers found a way to save energy and water while retaining the tequila’s unique flavor.

While the White House’s plans for a $1 trillion federal infrastructure program continue to coalesce, one recent estimate puts the depreciated value of the American electric infrastructure—including power plants, transmission lines, distribution lines, substations and transformers—at around $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion, with a replacement value of $4.8 trillion.

In 2016, GME partnered with the Texas Parks 
& Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide the organization innovative and cost-effective solar and smart-meter solutions. Additionally, GME will provide energy solutions to all TPWD facilities in deregulated areas with 100 percent renewable energy, supporting the TPWD’s mission to manage and conserve the state’s natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

In 2016, we developed our first global emissions reduction goal, which is an absolute goal to reduce Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2035, using a baseline year of 2015. Scope 2 emissions result from the electricity we purchase and consume in our offices.

A new administration has vowed to roll back numerous environmental regulations aimed at reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. Does this give power providers new impetus to rewrite their long-term planning? This year’s Strategic Directions: Electric Industry Report finds this isn’t necessarily the case.

The current administration has revived debates over coal’s role in the country’s overall energy mix. Still seen as one of the most economical generation resources, some believe coal may experience a revival of sorts. However, most forward-looking infrastructure investors and industry leaders are not as optimistic – read more in this year’s Strategic Directions: Electric Industry Report.

General Motors’ Fairfax Assembly & Stamping plant, home of the Chevrolet Malibu, earned ENERGY STAR® certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, signifying it meets strict energy performance levels. GM Fairfax is the only manufacturing plant in Kansas to earn such certification in the last nine years. Below are some energy-efficient practices the facility employs.